Sports digest: San Jose Sharks retain Jason Demers with one-year deal

The Sharks announced Thursday they've signed defenseman Jason Demers and forward Brodie Reid to one-year contracts.

Demers, 25, a restricted free agent, battled injuries this past season and had three points in 22 games.

"Jason is a highly competitive puck moving defenseman that creates offense from the back end," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement. "We're looking forward to seeing him come back healthy."

Reid, 23, played 34 games for the AHL Worcester Sharks this season and had 21 points.

Mark Messier is leaving the New York Rangers after being passed over to replace fired coach John Tortorella. Messier, who had been a special assistant to G.M. Glen Sather, said he's resigning in order to "expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center." The center will feature nine indoor rinks. Messier captained the Rangers to the 1994 Stanley Cup title and interviewed for the team's coaching job that went to Alain Vigneault.

Tampa Bay will buy out the contract of center Vincent Lecavalier, who was the first overall pick in the 1998 draft and helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2004. He is Tampa Bay's career leader in goals (383). G.M. Steve Yzerman said using a compliance buyout allowed by the NHL's collective bargaining agreement will provide financial flexibility. Lecavalier, owed $45 million over the next seven seasons, will become an unrestricted free agent July 5.

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Pittsburgh and forward Chris Kunitz agreed to a three-year contract extension. The new deal, which begins in 2014-15, will carry an annual salary cap hit of $3.85 million.

In the aftermath of the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup title, winger Marian Hossa told the Chicago Tribune he might need surgery to repair a disk in his back.

NFL

Minnesota signed former Cal linebacker Desmond Bishop to a one-year deal. Bishop became available when Green Bay released him two weeks ago. He tore his hamstring during a 2012 exhibition game and didn't play last season. "One-hundred percent and ready to go," the seven-year NFL veteran said.

A former rookie linebacker for Cleveland pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges in New Jersey. Ausar Walcott was arraigned in Paterson. He's accused of punching Derek Jones outside a gentlemen's club Sunday. Jones is in a medically induced coma. Walcott, 23, is being held on $500,000 bail. He played for Virginia, was signed by the Browns on May 13 and released Wednesday.

Jim Hudson, who helped the New York Jets win their only Super Bowl title in 1969, died in Austin, Texas. He was 70. Hudson was a starting safety in the Jets' 16-7 upset of the Baltimore Colts.

Soccer

Jesus Navas scored the decisive penalty kick after Leonardo Bonucci skied his attempt over the crossbar, and World Cup champion Spain beat Italy 7-6 in a shootout after a 0-0 tie to reach Sunday's Confederations Cup final against host Brazil. In the heat and humidity in Fortaleza, Italy's Emanuele Giaccherini hit a post in the 93rd minute.

The U.S. (0-2-1) was knocked out of the Under-20 World Cup in the first round, finishing last in Group A with a 4-1 loss to Ghana at Kayseri, Turkey.

Colleges

USC extended its football series with Notre Dame through 2023 and scheduled games with BYU for 2019, 2021 and 2023. Also, the Cougars lined up a spot in the 2015 Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego -- if BYU is eligible for the postseason.

Ty Dillon overtook Kyle Busch with 26 laps left and went on to win the NASCAR Truck Series race at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta. Dillon started 22nd on the 1.5-mile oval. Brad Keselowski was second, followed by Busch.

Red Bull driver Mark Webber said he's leaving Formula One after this season to race in Porsche's new LMP1 prototype at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the world endurance races.